Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig has said that new initiatives are urgently needed to regenerate the inshore fishery sector if it is to have a sustainable future.
Mac Giolla Easbuig told Donegal Daily, “The fishing community have suffered irreparable damage since the closure of the driftnet fishery for salmon seven years ago
Independent TD Thomas Pringle and county council election candidate Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig met with fishermen in Burtonport on Monday.
“Coupled with the unworkable fishing constraints on Area VIa which date back to 2009 with the introduction of the Cod Recovery Plan and it’s easy to see why the small scale fishermen operating in Donegal’s inshore waters are suffering so badly.
“New initiatives for the inshore sector are badly needed and some of the recommendations of the Report on Sustainable Rural Coastal and Island Communities from an Oireachtas fisheries sub-committee, could if implemented help regenerate the inshore sector.
According to Mac Giolla Easbuig the announcement of a National Inshore Fisheries Forum, may have the potential to assist the inshore sector but only if it is wholly representative and run by those fishermen who are actively engaged in and dependant on it.
Mac Giolla Easbuig added, “Having talked with fishermen, many have spoken of their frustration at unlicensed and recreational fishermen being allowed to fish on the same grounds with as much gear as fully licensed commercial fishermen, who rely on these stocks to make a living.
“In my view there is nothing wrong with people taking to the sea to fish for their own table and I would defend it, so long as their catch is kept for their own consumption.
“But I agree that a balance needs to be struck which safeguards the sustainability of the lobster, brown crab and shrimp stocks and that a review of the licensing system is needed which should take this into account.”
Mac Giolla Easbuig admits he won’t pretend to understand the full implications as to what fishermen go through on a day to day basis, what legislation they have to adhere to or what is the best way for their fisheries to move forward and make it a brighter future for them, their families and their communities.
“But I can tell you that what I lack in my own personal knowledge of the fishing industry is duly compensated in listening to and seeking advice from others who have an extensive knowledge of what drives the fishing industry.
“Thankfully many of whom I can say are also part of my team.
“I am more than willing to sit with fishermen and their representatives and listen to how and what I can do to assist them in breathing much needed life back into our coastal communities.
